Jennifer and Steven made their exits from ‘Idol’ official last week, but a new report suggests they were dumped from the show — they didn’t quit! Read on for all the details!
Sources claimed Jennifer Lopez wanted to quit American Idol, after she heard Britney Spears was making $12 million on ‘The X Factor.
Jennifer Lopez performed her hit single alongside her 25-year-old boyfriend, Casper Smart.
Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler made separate, official exits from American Idol last week, claiming it was their decision to move on from the hit reality franchise. But a new report suggests salary demands and disinterest got in the way and ultimately got them both dumped from the show!
The Wrap is reporting that Jennifer asked for a $2 million pay raise for a third season of Idol. Jennifer allegedly received $12 million for her first season and $15 million for her second season. This time around, she was hoping for $17 million.
The Wrap’s insider said Fox “surprised her” by not making a counteroffer — leaving Jen no choice but to bounce!
According to the same report, talks with Steven didn’t even get that far! The show, which has been declining fast in the ratings, didn’t pick up Steven’s option for another season!
Randy Jackson, the only judge remaining as of July 15, has finally reacted to the news telling Gossip Cop, “Steven and Jennifer are truly two of the most talented and consummate professionals I’ve worked with. I was friends with them before we hopped on this crazy journey together and I have no doubt our friendships will continue long after. I will love them for life.”
E Online!: American Idol Top 12 Girls Sing: Who’s a Star? Plus, Randy Admits to Being “Lenient” on the Guys
Ryan Seacrestmay have introduced Steven Tyler tonight as “controversial,” but he most likely was referring to something other than Tyler’s judging M.O.
The worst the American Idol panel could say about any of the top 13 guys last night was that, maybe, he wasn’t perfect. MaybeEben Franckewicz hit a few bum notes, maybeHeejun Han didn’t choose the right song, etc.
Did they turn up the heat at all on the top 12 girls?
What do you think?
“Yo, a singing deejay, when have you heard of that? I love it!” Randy Jackson said for no good reason in response to a powerful but pretty unspecial performance of Heart‘s “What About Love” by Erika Van Pelt.
Jackson and his fellow judges had a few criticisms here and there—maybe even some constructive ones at that—but every critique was capped off with an encouraging remark about “next time” or “we know you can sing.”
Or “good lookin’ out,” as Jackson told Jen Hirsh.
Kinda muddles the process, don’t you think? Simon Cowellmust be turning over in his La-Z-Boy!
Actually, when Ryan asked Randy part-way through the evening how the ladies were stacking up against the guys, Randy admitted that, after watching the show over again last night, he felt they may have been “a little lenient, a little soft on some of the boys last night. There were some great performances but I think some of them were a little…”
“It was the excitement of the first night!” Jennifer Lopez chimed in.
“I think we gave some passes on some of our judgment,” Randy continued, “but, in order to do well in this…The stakes are going to be high. You guys are going to have to bring it hard every single time.”
As for who really deserved a flood of praise, we were partial to fierce little country girl Skylar Laine, who both sang “Stay With Me” by Faces really well and was fun to watch (she easily won the three-woman country battle with Chelsea Sorrell and Baylie Brown in our book); 16-year-old Shannon Magrane, who gave Jennifer her “first goosies” of the night and made Steven’s “reality check bounce”; and Jessica Sanchez, whose final note on “Love You I Do” from Dreamgirls had all three judges out of their seats.
Baylie, who couldn’t do justice to Lone Star‘s “Amazed,” probably received the overall least-positive critique of the night.
“Wow, Baylie, I’m not sure if that’s the best song you could have picked for tonight. I’ve heard you sing better,” Steven said, adding, almost reluctantly, “But I enjoyed it—and you’re very pretty.”
“I know it’s those nerves, I understand…but it’s got to be solid,” J.Lo leveled with her. “I felt you could have had a better moment. But we’ll see what happens.”
Randy, however, saved his harshest words for Haley Johnson—and rightly so.
“How do I say this? I’m a little stuck,” he began after Haley butchered the Eurythmics‘ “Sweet Dreams.”
“It was a bit of a nightmare for me instead of a dream…It was kind of pitchy all over the place. It’s harder to do Annie Lennox than it sounds. Her intricacies are spot-on and yours weren’t-spot on…I was like, ‘Wow were are we going? I’m a little dizzy.’”
Speaking of dizzy, how did two girls—Jen Hirsch and Elise Testone—both end up singing Adele’s “One and Only”?! Of all the already-perfect tunes to double up on!
Anyway, for the second year in a row, Idol will let 12 contestants go in one fell swoop. The bloodletting takes place tomorrow night.
Who did Adele proud in your book, Jen or Elise? Who’s a shoo-in for top 13 glory, and who do you see leaving tomorrow? Is it finally going go to be a woman’s year, or do the guys have it again? Sound off in the comments!
Ace ShowBiz: ‘American Idol’ Top 12 Girls Performance Recap: Sick Jessica Sanchez Wows the Judges
After the top 13 guys performed on Tuesday, it’s the girls’ turn to take the stage in a Wednesday, February 29 episode of “American Idol“. Chelsea Sorrell kicked it off with “Cowboy Casanova” by Carrie Underwood.
The country girl got some critics from judges with Jennifer Lopez saying the song made her sound nasally. Randy Jackson praised her strong vocals, but did not like her choice of song. Steven Tyler, meanwhile, told her to watch her phrasing and her timing.
Erika Van Pelt came out next with Heart‘s “What About Love”. Though the performance wasn’t stellar, Steven and Randy liked the confidence she showed on stage. J.Lo said, “You are one of our power voices”, but added that the Rhode Island DJ could have done it better.
Jen Hirsch opted to do a cover of Adele‘s “One and Only”. The judges had nothing but praises with J.Lo saying Jen was the first person to really let loose, and Randy gushed, “I think you’re one of the greatest singers in this competition this year.”
Brielle Von Hugel sang “Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, starting the performance by sitting among the top 13 guys. Though she was a bit shaky in the beginning, Steven praised her for having a “great sense of the blues.”
Hallie Day delivered “Feeling Good” by Michael Buble. J.Lo said she has a beautiful voice as well as the looks of a star. Randy and Steven agreed that 24-year-old Maryland girl’s got the voice.
Skylar Laine made an energetic performance of The Faces’ “Stay With Me” without leaving her country root. Steven said, “You’re a pistol. Keep it up.” J.Lo loved her energy and described the performance as “Tina Turner went country.” Randy, meanwhile, said the aspiring singer is “Reba [McEntire] mixed with Kelly Clarkson.”
Baylie Brown delivered a cover of Lonestar‘s “Amazed”, but she failed to amaze the judges. Steven praised her looks but said that he’d heard her sing better, while J.Lo felt that she didn’t seem to have total control. Randy added the performance had a lot of problems.
Hollie Cavanagh showed she has a wide range of vocals by singingChristina Aguilera‘s “Reflection”. J.Lo declared her as one of the frontrunners to be “Idol” winner. Steven and Randy also loved the performance, but the Aerosmith frontman advised her to wear her hair down next time.
Haley Johnsen perhaps made a bad song choice by picking “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics. Randy commented it’s “a bit of a nightmare, instead of a dream,” prompting the audience to boo him.
Next up, Shannon Magrane sang “Go Light Your World” by Kathy Trocoli. J.Lo admired the 16-year-old girl’s passion and was impressed by the power of her voice for someone her age.
Despite having swollen vocal chords, Jessica Sanchez nailed it when covering Jennifer Hudson‘s “Love You I Do”. The judges gave her a standing ovation with Randy stating she’s “one of the best of the two nights.” Steven chimed in, “Your voice is perfect, your pitch is perfect.”
Adele’s “One and Only” was once again heard on “Idol” that night whenElise Testone performed, opening it by sitting behind a piano. She was so connected to the song that she almost cried. The judges appreciated that it was bluesy and from the heart, with Randy adding she’s “a force to be reckoned with.”
“American Idol” will return Thursday, March 1 with the announcement of the Top 13 for all male and female contestants.
Entertainment Weekly, PopWatch: ‘American Idol’: Did the Top 12 Girls just wildly outperform the Top 13 Guys?
YES! Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo. I thought tonight’s Top 12 Girls performance show was wayyyyyy better than Tuesday’s Top 12 Guys night. I’m surprised by how much I loved the energy of country-rocker Skylar Laine (pictured). Hollie Cavanagh is relentlessly endearing without even trying and effortlessly killed it by just standing at the mic on Christina Aguilera’s “Reflection.” Two of the ladies — Jen Hirsh and Elise Testone — dared you to let them be your “One and Only” by taking on the same Adele song. I suspect growly powerhouse Elise may have just knocked Jen out — even though Jen has been a favorite for awhile.
My quick Top 5: Elise Testone, Hollie Cavanagh, Skylar Laine, Jessica Sanchez, and Erika Van Pelt — with Hallie Day as the Wild Card. Who were your faves?
Did anyone else think Jennifer Lopez channeled Angelina Jolie tonight?
Angelina J. Lolie? Is that you?
Also, here’s my five-word review of Elise Testone and her hair:
ROOM. SERVICE. FLOWERS. New fave.
Which five girls do you think will (or more importantly, SHOULD) make it through tomorrow night?
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